Discover Husen: the Altenau, trails and history

Husen lies on the upper reaches of the Altenau, and the small river flows right through the village. The area also features buildings with various historical connections, a flood retention basin, and routes through the village, fields and valley. If you are looking for accommodation here, you can plan your stay around these interests: a hike along the Altenau offers different impressions from exploring the village’s history or going for a bike ride. The places and routes below will help you discover Husen as a destination for nature and culture.

The Altenau and the Reservoir

The Husen reservoir is a flood retention basin. It was built after the severe flooding in the Altenau Valley in July 1965 near Lichtenau-Husen. Today, the reservoir is a popular local recreation destination, surrounded by a network of hiking and cycling trails. Here, its history as a flood retention basin meets its present-day use as a place for recreation.

Since its renaturation in 2017, the Altenau has once again flowed in a winding, lively course through the Husen-Dalheim area. Extensive grazing during the renaturation project at the retention basin has helped create a rich variety of insect life. The aim of the renaturation is to provide fish and birds with a habitat once more. River restoration and habitat conservation are thus among the different aspects of this landscape.

Routes Through the Landscape

The A3 hiking trail offers a specific way to explore the surroundings on foot. It is about 9.8 kilometres long and runs between the village, fields and the Altenau Valley. The trail starts near the Schützenhalle on Lichtenauer Straße, at the corner of Ellern. It first heads west through Husen, parallel to the Altenau; the return route follows the flood retention basin back to Husen. The A3 therefore links parts of the village, fields and valley with the route alongside the basin.

The Husen Orchard Meadows Nature Trail has a different focus. It passes through the orchard meadow site and provides information about local nature and the importance of orchard meadows. While the A3 connects the village, fields and the Altenau Valley, this trail draws attention to the orchards and the natural environment they support.

The cycle route along the Altenau offers another option: this family-friendly circular tour is about 19 kilometres long and climbs gently beyond Husen. There is a discovery box beside the cycle route at the orchard between Husen and Dalheim. When planning your trip, this means you can choose between the A3, at about 9.8 kilometres, and the roughly 19-kilometre cycling loop; both pass through different parts of the landscape and offer different ways to get around.

The Castle and Parish Church

In the centre of Husen, Husen Castle is a listed historic building on partly wooded grounds. The current building was probably erected in 1712 to replace an older castle complex. St. Mary Magdalene Church is another architectural landmark in the village: the Catholic parish church was built in 1903/04 to plans by Franz Mündelein. It is a Romanesque Revival hall church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. Its organ gallery comes from the former Dalheim Monastery.

The Annen Chapel Nearby

The freely accessible Annen Chapel, also known as the Amerunger Chapel, is located near Husen. It stands at the confluence of the Altenau and Holtheimer Wasser rivers, between Lichtenau and Husen. The present-day Baroque building was erected in 1669. The Altenau hiking trail and Altenau cycle route pass by the building; the surrounding area is a suitable place to take a break in nature. The chapel thus combines a historic building with a waterside location and two named routes.

For an overview of the wider area: Lichtenau.